Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Friday, October 31, 2014

Fall Ends ~ Blueberry Millet Muffins

Yesterday morning there was a layer of fog over the fields.  Kind of pretty and perfect for a Halloween-ie type photo.



 
Walking to the mailbox I discovered

Thursday, October 30, 2014

From the Handiwork Journal . . .



. . . crocheted tiny flowers and glued them to paper clips.  These are quick to make, add color to your work space, and are fun to gift.  I loved they way these turned out - adorable!



These tiny flowers could be added to handmade cards, bobby pins, and so much more.  I glued them to large paper clips using a clear drying, strong craft glue.



I am crocheting two flower patterns for making these.  I do like the first flower better.  

I keep a box of "tuck in" gifts that fit in an envelope or card, and my stash is dwindling.  So many of these are going in the box.

The patterns for making flowers are in this book:

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Fall Color ~ Clothesline

While walking to the mailbox, I noticed my snapdragons are adding some vibrant fall color to the flower beds.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Winter Prep List ~ Dishwasher Detergent

Yesterday I gave my master bathroom a good cleaning, but the tub was left to scrub today.  I made sure I had porch time.  I also got the bills paid and propane ordered, so a big cup of coffee was needed this morning.  

My coffee cup today is actually pink with white polka dots.  The early light in the kitchen makes it look different.  

We are making progress on the "Winter Prep" list, but

Monday, October 27, 2014

Happy Homemaker Monday

 I'm joining Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today.

Fillin' Up ~ Dried Leaf Art


Sunday morning consisted of more wood splitting and stacking.  It feels good to gain on that job.  We are trying to get all the wood inside the barn split first, before we tackle the monstrosity pieces again.  We are getting another tree soon, and that wood needs a place to dry inside the barn.  I'm excited to get a bit ahead on our supply.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Tuckered out


Camping?  Well, after a full day of splitting wood, we were too tuckered out to mess with the camper, ha ha!  We did sleep well, even if it wasn't in the good ol' outdoors.

Truth be told, I think if we put up the camper early, and then did the hard work, it would have worked.  However, that wonderful morning chill is back today and I would have not wanted to leave.  

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Routine ~ Pink


Yesterday I watched the sunrise whether I had intended to or not.  It's darker out now, and the sun rises later now.


Jesse is

Friday, October 24, 2014

Sunshine


Sparta and the ladies enjoyed a long day outdoors yesterday.  The sun was shining and it was just perfectly cozy.  No dreary skies or fall cold drizzle.  

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Leaves are falling


It was pretty cold yesterday.  However, we are not heating just yet here.  I like how the leaves on the ground make a dark day bright.  I could not rake them up just yet.  These will eventually go on the garden (unless a big wind whips them away before then).

See that pot of geraniums?  I have two actually. Mid summer when my original plants died, I bought them at the grocery store, half dead and for pennies.  They are still blooming, while the hostas are turning for the fall season.

I was successful in drying an entire.....

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Rat, thief, molting? Or just too cold?

We seem to have a situation in the chicken coop.  On October 21st of 2013, this is what we got from the coop:

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Random Tidbits ~ Cranberry Apple Squares

The trees are now turning on our property.  This is a sign that I look for in terms of how much time I have to get winter prep done.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Puttin' Up Wood


Yesterday Hubby and I split wood, while two of the girls hauled and stacked.  This time I think I came inside with saw dust in my ears, in my hair and up my nose.  I think I smelled wood all night long, ha ha!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Work Day ~ Visiting Family

I think I have blogger's block today.  However, I feel that not blogging would be a disservice to my readers.  I have no pictures to share either.  Sigh.  Could it be that I am simply getting boring?

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Friday Reflections ~ Saturday's Sunrise

We had a beautiful sunrise this morning.  It's a bit chilly, but peaceful and quiet outside.  Sparta (Rooster) must be cold this morning, as I didn't hear much of his crow this morning.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Coffee Tea Bags ~ Two and Three Word Tea Bag Quotes


I wanted to send Daughter some good coffee, and finally found a way to do it.  The first thing that came to mind was a "Coffee Tea Bag" but they are really Coffee bags. 

After I made these.  .  . 

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Chicken Millet Burritos ~ Tidbits ~ Candy Corn



Woke up to fog.  And cold.  I left windows open all night due to the warm weather.  We woke up to a pretty cold house.  Brr.  The kids have a 2 hour delay today, so I actually slept in for once.  

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Thyme Crackers ~ Tidbits ~ A Kitten


Yesterday I woke up to this....



A sign fall is here to stay and winter is on the way.  Wood splitting must get into full swing here on the homestead.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Possibilities

After reading a post on another blog, I remembered taking a dutch oven cooking class with my oldest daughter and best friend from high school.  That was April of 2011.  I haven't really done anything that exciting since then either.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Happy Homemaker Monday

Joining Happy Homemaker Monday, with Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.....

Random Tidbits ~ The Hawk and the Hamster


Hubby was out putting the new mower belt on the mower, but was back inside just as quick.  It did not fit.  Back to the store for another one, but today the rain has arrived. 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

More Tatting ~ Trip to Town


Now that the weather is changing my routine and chores are changing.  I really have no business even looking at my crafting projects.  But.  I happened to come across this book in my stash, while cleaning of course.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Gettin' Dirty (again) ~ Hippity Hop.....

As hard as I try to sleep in on the weekends, I am not successful. My routine of early rising has got the best of me.  Maybe it's time to break out the evening Valerian root tea now?

Friday, October 10, 2014

Stupid Pie ~ Holy Basil - not just for tea ~ Honey Mustard and Onion Pretzels

(Yesterday morning's sunrise)

This time of year, everything is very wet early in the morning.  As I picked green peppers yesterday, I noticed how wet the garden still is.  

I opted to bake first, then head to the front flower beds instead.  I was sure to get "Frankenstein" feet if I went to the vegetable garden.

While my breakfast cooked, I quickly tossed ingredients together to make a pie for dinner.  Which by the way, was not a pie I'll make again.  

It was called "Stupid Pie" and

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Tidbits and To-do's ~ Surprise Mail ~ Millet Skillet


With a growling stomach yesterday morning, I randomly wrote out my "to-do" list.  It never has a particular order, and anything not completed simply rolls over into the next day.  Interruptions can do that.  

It was still too wet outside, and everything was still dripping in the bright sun, so I concentrated on the indoor work.  



The weather however, was excellent for laundry on the line.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Red Moon ~ Lunar Eclipse


Thanks to my older brother, I was able to get photos of the moon this morning.  Did you know today (Oct. 8, 2014) it would be red and there would be a total lunar eclipse?

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Baking ~ Cocoa Mochas ~ Deep Cleaning


After a trip to the library, I was back home baking yesterday.


I was blessed with overly ripe bananas, so first I made banana bread (using my canned applesauce).  While that was baking, I mixed ingredients for the next item - chewy granola bars.  Lunch packings are now re-stocked.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Happy Homemaker Monday


Sunday Review


Despite having to drive up to the ICU again for one of Hubby's sisters, we got more wood cut.  We are about 1/3 done for a season, so you can see how far behind we are on that job.  What can I say?  Hubby works a lot of hours and with my son gone, I don't have a wood splitting partner to speed up the job.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Winter Prep ~ Snow?!

Our first white mums in the flower bed.  My younger brother got married a little over a year ago, and they had white mums for table decorations.  Two came home with me, and both bloomed this year.  They really add color to a dark, rainy, dreary fall day.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Newspapers ~ Pretzels ~ Seeking Balance

(this morning's sunrise)

We got buckets and buckets of rain yesterday.  Just when a shower would end, another one started.  It was the perfect day to ignore housework, sit on the porch and write.  Just don't tell Hubby. 

Friday, October 3, 2014

Homemade Oxymels


(Elderberry Oxymel and club soda)

I had no idea these even existed, and read about them at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth.  They mention more information is at Mountain Rose Herbs (where I do buy my elderberries when they are in stock).  If you get a chance, go to their site and read about it.  It's basically a fancy name for a honey/vinegar mixture to help herbs taste better going down (and healthy).  I know honey makes mullein tea taste much better, but anyway.....

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Cro Tatting ~ Writing ~ Numbers Crunching

This morning's sunrise was nice and bright.  No fog today.  I woke up with no energy.  How is that possible?  A good night's sleep, and I just want to go back to bed.  But I can't. Work must be done. 

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Cro-Tat ~ Set Back ~ Leaf Picking

I really attempted to do a good house cleaning yesterday, but you know how you can get side tracked?  Well, I did.  I happened to end up in my room, where I had just picked up the box my tatting tools are in, and decided to give this tool a try.  It's a bullion hook.  It's used often for what is called cro-tat or crochet tatting.